Honor To Whom Honor Is Owed

Today is Veterans Day; a day in which we pay tribute to the many men and women who have put their lives on the line for this great country that we live in. Like you, I know many men and women who have served in some capacity. Both of my grandfathers are veterans. Many men in the congregation I work with are veterans. Each of these individuals were willing to leave their families and friends behind in order to serve and protect the people of this country. For some who have served, they eventually returned home and tried to readjust to life as a civilian. Others however, paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives in battle. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Words cannot express my sincere gratitude to all the men and women who have and still do serve in the United States Armed Forces. What they have done for us and continue to do for us is nothing short of heroic. They have experienced things that most of us will never experience. They have found themselves in places that most of us will never be in. They have had to make decisions that most of us will never have to make. They have done what most people would never be willing to do. They have served the United States of America proudly.

As I think about all that these men and women have done for this country and everyone who calls themselves Americans, I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul. He wrote, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7).

Today, we honor all these men and women. We pay tribute to all those who have fought for our continued freedom. Today, we simply say thank you! Thank you for your willingness to defend and protect our country. Thank you for your willingness to leave the comforts of this country behind in order to fight for us and other countries as well. Thank you for your willingness to leave those you love for such long periods of time in order to serve. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice, even if that meant giving your life. Those who have and do serve in the United States Armed Forces are the real heroes and heroines of this nation. You don’t hear it enough, but, “Thank you!” Thank you for your contributions to this blessed country that we live in. May God continue to bless America!

Prayer: Father, today I pause in remembrance of all the men and women who have fought for my freedom. I thank you for their willingness to do what very few of us are willing to do, serve. I ask you to bless them and their families on this special day. Father, I also pause in remembrance of the ones who lost their lives in battle. I thank you for the bravery that each of these displayed by the sacrifices they were willing to make. I pray that you bless their families as they continue to feel the effects of such a loss. Please continue to be with our service men and women and protect them and bring them back home safely. Dear Lord, as I close this prayer, please continue to bless this great country in the future as you have in the past. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!